Dirigible balloon



July 27 19.26.

F. SHORT DIRIGIBLE BALLooN Filed Jan. 25. 1924 Patented July 2 7, 1926. t

AUNH-ED STATES- PlTl-:Njr OFFICE.

rmx snow, or PENN YAN, NEW Yoan.

marciana BaLLooN. Application inea Januay 25, 1924. semi No. 388,449.

rlhis invention relates to dirigible balloons, the broad object in view being to produce an airship -of .the class referred to comblning certain advantageous features of the 5 rigid and the.non-rigid type, als@v including additional features of novelty and utility.

Among the important featurespf the-invention, the following may be enumerated.

A rigid tractor head; non-rigid tail section;

v1.0 interchangeable intermediate flexible lad sections; mterconnecting adjustable tension cables; nose or head section rudders and ele-- vators; diagonal stabilizing fins; overlapping st-reamlining -fabric at the joints bel tween the ctions; tubular car sections with internal pressure, and flexiblepassages or vestibules between the car sections.

A .further object of the invention is to so combinethe important features above enumerated as to produce a dirigible'balloon of high eicie'ncy,pne in Vwhich the useful load may be madeto correspond with the' reuirements or -load carrying capacity from timeto time', and one in which such change in carrying lcapacity may be quickly' adjusted without permanently discarding any part of Ithe equipment.

With 'the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement herein4 410 .line 4-4 ofFig..1.

Fig. 5 is a rear e d elevation ofv thediri- The aerostat of the improveddirigible '.gible balloon.-

4 balloon is made Iin sections,'comprising a ri d tractor head section designated genera y at A, a. lion-rigid tail section'B, and

one or more `intermediate flexible-'ormonrigid load carrying sections Y 'l The head section A embodies a ri 'd l( frame shown as .consisting of a suita le number of box girder lon rons or Yframe members 10 of lattice wor or other light strong construction, the shape of said long- 4fins or fixed stabilizing surfaces 15, which propeller shafts 16, which carry the tractor rons or frame members being such as to produce in the finished aerostat a half round or streamline nose as shown. The head section also embodies transverse frame members 11, which are also shown of box girder lattice [work construction, extending from thevcenter or longitudinal axis of the' aerostat radially outward' where they are permaf nently united in any suitable way to the longrons 1 0. The frame further comprises one-or more annular frame members orlattice work hoops 12, which interconnect and brace the radial frame members 11 as shown in Fig. 3. The head section has acovering 13' vof fabric, which may be iiuid tight if desired,

while the rear end of the head section is closed by an, inwardly extending conical wall 14 .of fabric, which may also be fluidA tig-ht if desired. Gas'bags 14 are placed in the head section as shown in Fig. 3.

The head section A also comprises hollow'A are properly streamlined-in a fore and aft direction, and which form housings for a portion of the propelling mechanism of the 'dirigible As shown the fins 15 contain the 80 propeilers 'or -air screws 17, shown `.in Fig.

2.; Any suitable prime moverl or .power plant may be placed in tl@` head section'and suitablygeared for driving the tractor screws 17.` Vertical rudders 18 and eleva- -tors 19 are carriedby the head section A 'and controlled by suitableconnections (not shown).

Each of the flexible or non-rigid load sections iscylindrical in shape, corresponding 00 in diameter with the largest diameter `of 'the `head section-Aso as togive a streamline contour to the whole aerostat as clearly in.-

dicated in Fig. 1. Each of theJ load sections C has a conical forward end wall20 and in- 95A wardly. extending conical wall 21'at the rear end thereof, the front and rearwalls 20 and 21l of the several load sections C being adapted to closely fit eachother, and the head Section and the tail section having correspond- .100 ing walls to produce an lliyite'rlitting connection and bracing betwee all of the sections of the aerostat.

The headl section A is Iformed with a central tube or passage way 22 and each of the 105 intermediate sections C, as well as -the tail tion of the tail sections.

The several sections of the aerostat are held in the relation shown by means of {lexible cables 23. One of such cables extends from each of the sections A, B and C through the tubular passageway 22, said cables being held under tension by winding drums 24 supported firmly inthe head section A and preferably by means of brackets or the equivalent thereof, supported in turn by the frame of the head section. The sections Ctembody the gas compartments or spaces 25 and each of theintermediate sections contains a balloonet 26 with suitable valves and equipment. The tail section B also embodies gas spaces or compartments 27 containing balloonets 28. i

The head section has at the rear end thereof a strong annular inated cushioning bag 29 fastened to the frame of the head section and forming a resilient abutment against which bears the front wall '20 of 'the next adjacent loadsection C as clearly shown` in Fig. 1. By means of the construction der scribed the flexible load sections are all flexibly connected together and to.the head section so as to allow for the necessary weaving of the aerostat under side wind pressure and steering operations.

:Arranged beneath the arostat and suspended therefrom or supported thereby is a car which Vcomprises longitudinally alined car sections 30 and 31. It will be observed that there is a car section for each section of the aerostat, such section being located immediately under the respective aerostat 'section and being connected thereto and supported therebyfby means of fabric suspension members 32p which diverge from the l car sections upwardly to the aerostat as the necessary weaving of the airship. The

rear section 3l of the carV is joined to the next. forward car section 30 by the means of a semi-rigid jointf34 and between said Vsections 31 and 30 there is provided-an air lock indicated at 35 which may consist of two partitions having air-tight doors therein and an intervening space or vestibule. The forward cross sections numbered 3() all contain atmospheric pressure or at least .pressure comfortable for the passengers toY breathe.

The rear section 31 will ordinarily contain air at normal pressure. The pressure inthe car sections serves to iniate'the smeso that Y they assume cylindrical form.v

The rear car section is internally braced by lattice work construction 36 towhich are attached upright extensions 37 and 38 which may pass upwardly through the tail end por tion of the rear section B of the aerostat and support fixed stablizing surfaces or vertical fins 39 and horizontal ns 40. Fabric webs i ric flaps 42 are connected to theperipheries.

of the sections A and C,.'extending across the gaps across the sections and secured by elastic means 43 to the adjoining section.

A vertical passage way 44 extends from the bottom of the tail section upwardly and intersects the tubular passage way 22 and contains a ladder, to enable the crew to obtain access to the passageway 22 forany purpose needed. The passage way 22, which is preferably formed of fabric, may be supported by the cables 23 or by webbing braces 45 as indicated in Fig. 4 or by any other suitable means so asto preservet-he sha e the necessary flexibility to allow for the weaving 'motion of the airship.

F rom` the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will now be observed that the tractor 'head section is self-supporting or .sustaining and the-fabric or covering thereof is not required to take the drag of succeeding sections to increase the useful load of the airship to correspond with the need from time to time. It'means that the head, intermediate and tail sections can be standardized and interchangeable. Therefore a damaged section may be quickly replaced by a new sec'- tion instead of tying up the whole bag unit. Normally the capa-city may be quickly ad# cj usted to the'trafic demand without discarding old equipment because it lacks load car- -rying capacity.

Y The tail section will normally contain such equipment` as ballast, reserve fuel, reserve gas, baggage and dining compartment, crews quarters, radio apparatus, air compressors,etc. The rear section may also have an engine driven electric generator to supply energy to some of the head section air screws as well as'lighting and cooking energy.

I cla-im z-f 1.V In a.A dirigible balloon, an aerostat comprising. a rigid head section', a non-rigid tail section, flexible intermediate load sections, and tension cable means extending along the Vwlongitudinal axis, of the aerostat and ilexibly' tying the sections thereof together.

2. In a diri 'ble balloon, an aerostat comprising a rigld head section, an annular of the sections -of the aerostatand provie trailing behind 'thehea sections, and ilex-- ible 'cable means serving to tie all of the sec- Ations together.

' load sections trailingbehind the head secfront and rear portions,l a

.cushion biig carried by 'the rear part of said o' ly housed within said fins. a

i megeve head section, interchan able' load sections able iiexible load 'sections trailing behind and flexibly tied to -the head section.

comprising a rigid tractor. head, aerial pro- 3. In a diril 'ble balloon, an aerostat comprising a rigi head section, interchangeable means also carried by said head, and interchangeable flexible load sections trailing behindand flexibly tied to the head section.

11. In a dirigible balloon', an aerostat comprisinga rigid tractor head, aerial propolling 'means carried thereby, interchangeable, vfiexible load sections .trailing behind land iexibly tied to the head sections, and Jstreamlining flaps exibly. connecting said sections at the periphery of the aerostat.

tion and having interfitting front'and rear portions, a flexible cable means extending centrally of the sections and lon 'tudinally of the aerostat and serving to exibly. tie the sections to ether. v 4. In 'a diri ble balloon, an aerostat comprisin a rigi head section, vertical ruddersl and elevators mounted on the head section, interchangeable load sections trailing be hind the head section and havin interitting exiblecable means extendin centrally of the sections-v and lnitudina y ofthe aerostat and serving to exibly tie the sections together. 5. In a dirig'ible balloon', an aerostat comprising a rigid head section, interchan eable exible load sections trailing behin -and flexibly tied to the head section, streamlined stabilizing tins projectin outward from the. head section, and prope ing means' partialcomprising a rigid head section, flexible load Lsections trailing behind and flexibly tied to thehead section, and a car supported under the aerstat and embodying separable sections supported by respective sections-of the aerostat.

v13. In a 'dirigible balloon, an aerostat comprising a rigid head section, iiexible load sections trailing behind and flexibly tied to the head section, and a car supported under ported by respective sections of the arostat,

6. In a dirigible balloon, an aerostat comsaid car sections bein placed in communiprisin a rigid head .s ection., interchangecation by flexibleltubu arvestibules.` able exible load sections trailing behind 14. In a dirigible balloon, an aerostat and flexibly tied to the head section, radially extending internal bracing frame membersin the head section streamlined stabilizing fins projecting radlally outward from the head section and sucpported bysaid bracing frame members, an propelling means partially'housed within said ns.

7. In a dirigible balloon, an aerostat comprising a rigid head section having -box girder longrons, and also having inter-nal transverse frame members extending radi-A ally from the longitudinal axis of the head ported by respective sections ofthe aerostat, section outwardly and united to said 1onand having tubular inflated jackets, and grons, streamlined stabilizing s projectpressure tight vestibules=flexibly connecting sections trailing behindand flexibly tied .to the head section, and a car supported under the aerostat and embodying sections sup'- ported by respective sections of the .aerostat, and having tubular iniiatedj'ackets.

. 15. In a. dirigible balloon, an aerostat comprising a rigid head section, iexible load sectionstrailing behind and flexibly tied to the head section, and a car supported under the aerostat and embodying sections suplng radially outward from the. head section the car sections.

I 8. In a dirigible .balloon an aerostatcomsection 'outwardly and anchored to said transverse framemem- Y tially housed within saidfins. S

16.y In a `diri 'ble balloon, an aerostat bers, and propelling means partially housed comprising a rigld head section, flexible load within said tins. sections` trailing behind and iiexibly tied to the head section, fa non-rigid tail section, a prising a rigid head section having' box car. supported under the aerostat and emgirder lon'grons, and also havin internal bodying sections flexibly connected by vestitransverse frame members extenng radibules, a framework connectin the rear ends ally from the longitudinal axis of the head of the car and aerostat, 'an Vertical and grons, interchanl able tlexible, load sec'- framework.

tions trailing behind the headf section 'and 17. Ina dirigible balloon, a rigid head flexibly tied-thereto, streamlined stabilizing section, a sustaming gas container therein fins projecting radially outward from` the and a non-rigid load section trailing behind Ahead section and anchored to said transverse and attached to said head section.

18. 'In a d irigible balloon, a rigid head frame members, and propelling means par-t v section, a sustaining gas container therein, Aa

9. I na dirigble balloon, an aerostat comnon-rigid load section trailing behind and prising` a rigid tractor head, aerial propelattached tosaid head section, and a proling means carried thereby, and interchangey 10.' In a dirigible balloon, an aerostat' "12. In a dirigible balloon, an aeiostatthe aerostat and embodying sections supl'l0 pelllng means carried thereby, steering comprising a rigid head section, fiexible load and united tosaid 'lonhorizontal stabilizers mounted on said peller unit supported directly on said rigid head section.

'19. A diriglble balloon, a rigid head section, a sustainlng gas container therein, a

non-rigid head section trailing behind and` attached to said head section, steering vanes attached directly to said 'head sect-ion for guiding said balloon. l

20. In adirigible balloons# rigid head section. av` sustaining gas container therein, a non-rigid load section trailing behind and yattached to said head section. a propelling rkunit, supported on said head section and lsteering vanes attached directly to said head section.

v21. In a, dlrigible balloon. an aerostat coml prising a rigid head section and 'a plurality of flexible load sections trailing behind and i each attached directly to said rigid head section.

22. lIn a dirigible balloon, an aerostat comprising a rigid head section and a plurality of iiexible load sections trailingL behind and vattached to said head section, said ,sections and an individual load-carrying car for each Y Y section.

26. In dirigible balloon, a load-section provided with an axial .tubular opening and vmeans extending therethrough for attaching said section to an adjacent section.

27. In a dirigible balloon, a load section i provided with a 'peripheral flap to cover junctures with an adjacent section, said! load sect-ion having a substantially conical end to intertit with an end on an adjacentsection. 28. In a dirigible balloon, a head section, a plurality of load sections, and a tail section and an individual car attached to each section.

29.. In a dirigible balloon, cars carried by said balloon, land flexible air-tight passages between cars.

30. In a dirigible balloon, ,an aerostat, vdiagonally stabilizing fins fixed thereon, and

propelling means partly housed Within saidfins.

31. In a dzigible balloon, Iseparable aerostat sections, and tension cables for interconnecting said separable sections.

32. In a dirigible balloon, separable aerostat sections and axially extending central tension cables for interconnecting said sections and the front section. A

33. In a dirigible balloon, an aerostat com- ]irising a rigid head section having ,box girder longrons, and also having internal transverse frame members united tosaid longrons, streamllined stabilizing fins vprov je'cting out-Ward from the head section and anchored to said members, and propelling means partially housed Within said fins.

In a dirigible balloon, an aerostat comprising a rigid head section having long-k rons, and also having internal transverse 'frame members united to said longrons, in-

terchangeable exible load sections trailin behind the head section and exibly tie thereto, streamlined stabilizing tins projecting outward. from the head section and anchored to said frame members, and propel-V ling means partially housed Within said tins. In testimony whereof I affix myA signature.

FRANK SHORT.

so j 

